NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Poinsettas are pretty, but consider other longer lasting Florida native plants instead for beauty beyond the holiday season! Image Credit: Primex Garden Center

This time of year, when you enter a nursery or a local store it would be hard not to find a shelf full of mums or poinsettias for sale, often trapped in their plastic wrap prisons for longer than they woud prefer. As soon as I see these, I know it’s the holidays! And while yes, these plants are typical of this season because they enjoy the cooler temperatures, there are also so many others, including Florida natives, that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors in our landscapes during the holidays.  In this article, we’ll highlight a few of these options that’ll be sure to bring you that Florida holiday vibe.

Florida Native Holiday Trees and Shrubs

Fraser firs and Douglas firs seriously got the short end of the stick in being picked as our more traditional Christmas trees.  Most places offer these varieties, but there are several native alternatives you can enjoy that are readily available and can also keep living well past the holiday season.  One example is our Eastern red cedar, or Juniperus virginiana.

This stunning arbor beauty is dioecious, which means that in order to enjoy its frosty, blueish berries during the cooler months of the year, it is essential to source a healthy female tree.

Eastern red cedar berries, Photo by Miri Talabec

There are also many cultivars available with differing features including maximum heights ranging from 3 ft to 20 ft. One of our favorites is the ‘Grey Owl’ cultivar, which is a slow grower and does max out at about 3 ft in height and 6 ft in width, perfect for an indoor or outdoor holiday nook.

‘Grey Owl’ Eastern red cedar cultivar, Photo courtesy of Green Promise Farms

If you enjoy the charming, whimsical feel of a Charlie Brown Christmas story “Snoopy” tree, then perhaps the Sand pine, scientifically known as Pinus clausa, could be your perfect native Christmas tree option! The Sand pine is one of the smaller varieties among our native pine trees, making it a great choice for those seeking something unique. With just a little light pruning and care, you can easily achieve a more traditional, visually appealing pyramid shape, enhancing the holiday spirit in your home or garden beautifully.

Sand Pine tree, Photo by Shirley Denton, Florida Native Plant Society

Both the Eastern red cedar and sand pine grow decently well in many soil types, so after the holidays you can find just about any spot and transplant them (if you bought them in a pot) outside for a nice addition.  If you desire to cut one down instead, it can be tricky to find sites to responsibly remove these trees, so make sure you always obtain permission or find a native tree farm nearby.

As far as shrubs go, you cannot go wrong with the yaupon holly, or Ilex vomitoria. Besides being fun to pronounce, yaupon female trees boast an impressive display of bright red berries so abundant that it makes you imagine there’s a tiny, whimsical elf who lives inside constantly decorating the branches with seasonal cheer and vibrant splashes of color.

Yaupon Holly, Photo by Shirley Denton, Florida Native Plant Society

These shrubs make a beautiful hedge, and if you keep them around you can certainly use their leaves and twigs to make Yaupon tea, rich in antioxidants with some bonus caffeine to boot! 

But don’t you dare confuse this beauty with the infamous Brazilian peppertree, or Schinus terebinthifolia. After its introduction in the 1800s as an ornamental, Brazilian peppertree became a hugely invasive species all over Florida.  Making matters worse, it was historically called the Christmas berry or Florida holly confusing many into thinking this was a native holly.  Fun fact, it’s not a holly, not even close.  It just so happens to have holly like berries, but it’s actually in the sumac family.

Brazilian peppertree (lower left) growing alongside Yaupon holly, Photo by Mariely Brooks

And guys, I think that ship sailed on eradicating Brazilian peppertree from Florida (at least in South Florida), as it’s mostly now in long term management /control mode, but you can do your part in Northeast Florida and be sure to correctly ID our native hollies to add to your landscape this holiday season (and remove Brazilian peppertree if you see it, please!).   

FLOWERING NATIVE PLANTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Now when it comes to potted holiday plants, can anything else beat the poinsettia? The variety we are all most familiar with is Euphorbia pulcherrima, and it is actually native to Central Mexico and South America. 

Traditional poinsettias in a greenhouse, photo by Steve Terrill

An incredible number of cultivars have been made out of this top selling species – reds, pinks, whites and even marbled varieties are available. While beloved for their bright foliage, they do have their drawbacks. They are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, requiring a stable environment free of drafts and excessive heat to thrive and once removed from their greenhouse settings, their health can decline rapidly. Their care can be demanding, as they need precise watering—too much or too little can cause leaf drop.

Additionally, poinsettias are mildly toxic to pets and children if ingested, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort. Their popularity also overshadows other seasonal plants, limiting biodiversity in festive decor. Many people discard them after the holiday season, contributing to waste, though they can be maintained year-round with proper care.  In their native range and in the wild, these poinsettias are actually pretty tall and shrub like.

Traditional poinsettias in wild, Photo courtesy of Greenwell Farms.

But if you are seeking our native poinsettia, then look out for Euphorbia cyathophora, a beautiful and noteworthy option. This native species does indeed offer the characteristic red bracts, or modified leaves, that provide that festive holiday flair, although it is important to note that these bracts tend to be smaller in size compared to their more commonly known counterparts. Its flowers attract many pollinators and its seeds feed the birds.

Native Florida Poinsetta, Euphorbia cyathophora. Photo credit: Floridaseeds

Do beware, our native variety can be an aggressive grower, so be prepared to maintain it in its bed or keep in a pot.  For more holiday bloomers for your yard, check out this short list of beautiful festive native wildflowers from the Florida Wildflower Foundation.

To learn more about why you should incorporate native plants in your garden planning, check out our past articles on 7 reasons you should incorporate native plants in your landscape and how native plants can bring life to your yard!

These are only just a few options that offer a truly vibrant Florida landscape. Should you be interested in adding these beautiful selections or other stunning Florida natives to your garden this holiday season, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We would love to assist you in creating a festive and welcoming outdoor space!